Driver Left Front Door Electric Fits 12-15 Sonic 641964 on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez on the Mercedes tie-up, the rise of turbo cars and the end of the Lagonda SUV project

MSN Cars is in Palm Springs, California, to drive the new Aston Martin Vanquish Volante and V12 Vantage S. Aston Martin, voted the second coolest brand in the world behind Apple, is celebrating its 100th year. Over an informal dinner, MSN Cars was given an exclusive chance to talk shop with Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez to see what the future holds for the Gaydon-based company.

35,000 Toyotas recalled over safety concerns

A total of 35,124 Toyotas in the UK are being recalled following safety concerns over the airbag modules, seat rails and steering columns. Toyota Airbag could fail to go off Some 24,785 UK-registered Toyota RAV4 and Hilux models are being recalled following a possible issue with the spiral cable assembly in the airbag module. Due to the position of a retainer in the system, Toyota admits “there may be a risk when the steering wheel is turned of damage to certain circuits that provide connectivity to the airbag.” This would prevent the airbag from working in a crash, and would illuminate a warning light on the dashboard.

Video: A look inside CATLY's studio walls and Toyota FT-1 concept development

Motor Trend has taken a look inside the studio walls of CALTY to produce a documentary of the design development of a star of last week's Detroit auto show, the Toyota FT-1 concept. Toyota's Californian design studio has been responsible for some of the company's best recent work including the Lexus LF-LC concept. In this episode of Downshift, Motor Trend spoke to some of those behind the FT-1's design – Kevin Hunter, CALTY Research president, studio chief designer Alex Shen and William Chergosky, interior chief designer.